Sleep and Obesity

If you do not get enough sleep, you are at risk of getting fatter! In fact, you will have doubled your risk of becoming obese!

These are the early findings of a study by researchers at the University of Warwick led by Professor Francesco Cappuccio and presented at the International AC21 Research Festival hosted by the University of Warwick.

Concerns over obesity have long been widespread in the USA, but now the World Health Organisation is looking at increases in Europe too, and is developing a charter to organise immediate action to curb obesity in the region, where they believe up to two thirds of the population are at risk.

By studying current evidence in over 28,000 children and 15,000 adults, Professor Cappuccio discovered that sleeping less than 5 hours a night is associated with almost a twofold increase in the risk of obesity, greater increase in body mass index and waist circumference over time.

An increase in appetite may be caused by changes in hormone levels through a lack of sleep. Some of the effects of two hormones in particular have been implicated. Sleep deprivation helps create more Ghrelin, which stimulates appetite and also reduces the production of Leptin which can suppress appetite.

Professor Cappuccio wants to explore the area further, and look at how short sleep may be linked to other conditions like diabetes and hypertension, as well as obesity which, according to the WHO, now affects one in three children in Europe alone.

Images:
- Alarm clock & light
- Lifestyle fitness / weight images
- Treadmill
- Body mass index measured
- Fat
- Exts University of Warwick
- WHO Obesity lecture in progress

Interviews:
- Professor Cappuccio, Warwick Medical School
- Professor Branca, WHO Regional office for Europe